If ever a single snapshot told the whole story, it was here at Anfield when Liverpool’s third goal went in.

Jurgen Klopp punched the air whilst emitting a primeval roar, his delight a testimony not just to his own passion, but the intensity of his magnificent side, who had simply blown Arsenal away .

Sitting slumped barely a couple of metres away, Arsene Wenger could hardly raise his shaking head, a ­desolate figure on the Gunners ' bench, trembling with the suppressed fury of the horrendous scenes unfolding.

Bad enough that his arrogantly casual side had gifted Liverpool and their deadly forwards Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah goals, but worse was the body language of his team.

Alexis Sanchez looked as though he would rather have been anywhere else... and most certainly in Paris, or Manchester.

He looked a beaten man.

And so did just about every one of his team-mates.

Just consider that for a second.

Three games into a bright new season where everything is supposed to have changed for the Gunners, and they look a beaten team, with no hope and no idea. And Wenger – for all his historical brilliance as a manager – must take the blame for that.

Another thing to think about for a second.

Mane is quite possibly the most dangerous wide player in the whole of Europe right now, and yet Arsene Wenger chose to mark the devastating Liverpool forward with a player intent on leaving because he doesn’t want to play wing-back.

Sanchez was back, but probably ended up wishing he'd sat this one out... (Image: Getty)

...Liverpool has Mesut Ozil and co virtually on their knees (Image: Rex/Shutterstock)

'So, what did you do with your sun-kissed Holiday Weekend, guys?' (Image: Getty)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the unfortunate victim, and barely seconds into what became a no-contest, he was another who looked as though he’d rather by anywhere other than where he was.

It begs the question: what the hell did Wenger think was going to happen?

What happened of course, was Mane taking the Ox apart. And the rest of the visiting defence too.

He scored a brilliant second goal for Klopp’s team, and created so much chaos the Gunners looked punch-drunk.

Let us make this clear right now – Liverpool were brilliant, devastating, magnificent.

Yet the dispassionate amongst a gleeful Anfield support were entitled to wonder for a second just what had Wenger been doing in training all week, while their opponents were occupied with a tough European game?

Oxlade-Chamberlain may have a point about playing him at wing-back... (Image: Getty)

Not working on how to counter the strengths of Klopp’s team, that is for sure.

The opening goal which ­virtually decided this contest was a case in point, and a damning indictment of what is going on with the Gunners right now.

One thing you know about Liverpool, they press like demons.

So the one thing you don’t do against them, is try lazy, arrogant, fancy little lofted passes airily into vague space towards the touchline near your own box.

Yet on 17 minutes, Granit Xhaka tried exactly that, and looked incredulous when Joe Gomez intercepted and found time and space to send over the perfect cross for the outstanding Roberto Firmino to score.

Firmino put Liverpool in front just before the midpoint of the first half... (Image: Reuters)

..their advantage doubled five minutes before the interval thanks to Mane (Image: Getty)

If it was an isolated error, then everyone is entitled to make them. But it was endemic in Arsenal’s woeful, disgraceful performance, and even Wenger conceded that.

The second goal was a breath-taking four pass break from Liverpool, and clinical precision for Mane to score superbly after Firmino’s simple final ball. Yet again, the possession was gifted not just cheaply, but ­criminally.

Incredibly, the third goal was even more embarrassing.

This time, Hector Bellerin was the culprit, and it was hard to describe what he was even doing, never mind thinking. Somehow, as last man, he gifted the ball to Salah, who raced in from half-way to score.

Jaw-dropping defending presented Salah with Liverpool's third just on the hour... (Image: PA)

...and Sturridge added a late fourth — though the Reds could have scored double that (Image: Reuters)

The painful truth for Wenger is that not only has he a side who look beaten and completely unmotivated, but they also look like they don’t have the spirit or bottle either.

In the end it was only four, sub Daniel Sturridge adding the last when he headed home Salah’s brilliant cross.

The scoreline flattered Arsenal.

Had it been the eight Liverpool deserved, no one could have complained.